Mackintosh, Paul S. The Liberation of Strasbourg 1944

For half a century, Strasbourg was a hotly contested spoil between France and Germany. As the historic capital of the border region of Alsace, the city fell into German hands after the Franco-Prussian War of 1870/71 before being returned to France after the First World War. After France's capitulation to Germany in 1940, Strasbourg and Alsace were incorporated into the Greater German Reich. The historical importance of Strasbourg for France was confirmed by General Leclerc's Kufra Oath in March 1941, when he and his troops swore to fight until "our flag flies over Strasbourg Cathedral". General de Gaulle insisted that the French forces should be tasked with the liberation of Strasbourg. In November 1944, the French 2nd Armoured Division moved into position through narrow paths in the Vosges mountains, known as the Saverne Gorge. General Leclerc's troops advanced over 40 km in one day and liberated Strasbourg on 23 November. Hitler described the recapture of Strasbourg as an important prestige objective of the offensive and put Heinrich Himmler in personal command of the operation. The French 1st Army, made up of numerous Moroccan and Algerian troops, fought back against five German divisions, with some units such as the Tahiti Battalion (Bataillon du Pacifique) being practically wiped out. By mid-January 1945, the German counter-offensive had failed.